Mounting arrangement for bulldozer blades

ABSTRACT

A mounting arrangement for supporting a bulldozer blade on a vehicle having a C-frame wherein the blade is supported by a centrally located universal ball joint on the C-frame and a pair of longitudinally arranged hydraulic jacks. In addition to providing a simplified three-point mounting for the blade, blade angle and pitch may both be controlled by the single pair of jacks. Preferably, a generally horizontally tilt cylinder is pivotally connected between the back of the blade and a tower structure on the C-frame to stabilize the mounting structure and provide means to tilt the blade.

Elnited States Patent [72] Inventor Robert A. Peterson San Leandro, Calif. [211 App]. No. 839,151 [22] Filed July 7,1969 [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 [73] Assignee Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Peoria, Ill.

[54] MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BULLDOZER BLADES 17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 172/804, 172/805, 172/807 [51] Int. Cl E02f 3/26 [50] Field of Search 172/804,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,160,595 5/1939 Le Bleu 172/805 X 2,224,725 12/1940 Felt 172/804 2,452,774 11/1948 Tomeau 172/803 Pryor 172/804 2,753,638 7/1956 172/803 2,766,536 10/1956 l72/805 2,943,407 7/1960 172/804 2,950,550 8/1960 172/804 3,002,300 10/1961 172/804 3,084,461 4/1963 172/804 3,213,553 10/1965 Foy 172/804 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerStephen C. Pellegrino Attorney-Fryer, Tjensvold, Feix, Phillips & Lempio ABSTRACT: A mounting arrangement for supporting a bulldozer blade on a vehicle having a C-frame wherein the blade is supported by a centrally located universal ball joint on the C- frame and a pair of longitudinally arranged hydraulic jacks. In addition to providing a simplified three-point mounting for the blade, blade angle and pitch may both be controlled by the single pair of jacks. Preferably, a generally horizontally tilt cylinder is pivotally connected between the back of the blade and a tower structure on the C-frame to stabilize the mounting structure and provide means to tilt the blade.

PATENTEDm-wn 3.331.330

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SHEET 4 0F 4 l SZ INVENTOR ROBERT A. PETERSON BY w AT F'O GZYS MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BULLDOZER BLADES The present invention relates to bulldozer blade mountings and more particularly to a blade mounting arrangement including a single pair of motors for adjusting both blade angle and pitch. Additional means, preferably a hydraulic motor, are provided to stabilize the mounting arrangement and adjust blade tilt as well as for controlling blade elevation.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bulldozer blade is supported by a centrally located universal pivot joint on the C- frame and a pair of hydraulic jacks which are pivotally connected to respective sides of the blade for maintaining blade angle and pitch in combination with the universal joint.

In addition to providing a simplified mounting arrangement for a bulldozer blade, both blade angle and pitch are adjusted through operation of the single pair of jacks. Accordingly, the present invention further contemplates control means for operating the two motors for selectively adjusting both blade pitch and angle.

Bulldozer blade mounting arrangements permitting adjustment of the blade about a number of various axis are desirable for operating economy in earthmoving applications and in other applications where vehicles equipped with bulldozer blades are commonly employed. Since the blades are intended to move large quantities of earth or other material, it is necessary that the mounting arrangement be capable of transferring large forces between the blade and the vehicle as well as providing for adjustment of the blade position. One of the most common mounting arrangements in the prior art includes a pair of longitudinally arranged hydraulic angling jacks respectively connected to opposite sides of the blade through triangular brace members. Operation of the two angling jacks in opposition to each other then provides for ad justrnent of blade angle. Additional hydraulic jacks are then commonly employed, for example, as an upper member in each of the triangular braces for separately adjusting blade pitch. Numerous disadvantages are seen to arise within such an arrangement. For example, a large number of components are employed within the mounting arrangement tending to increase complexity, cost and size of the mounting arrangement. The combination of these components within the mounting arrangement also often requires that the blade be disposed substantially forward of the vehicle, which in turn effects stability of the vehicle and requires further strengthening of various components in the mounting arrangement. Such arrangements also normally have exposed slide and guide means and unprotected hydraulic components that move with the slide means and are subject to damage.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified bulldozer blade mounting arrangement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bulldozer blade mounting arrangement wherein a single pair of motors or hydraulic jacks may be employed for adjusting both blade pitch and angle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such mounting arrangement including control means for selectively operating the two motors and facilitating adjustment of both blade angle and pitch.

It is a further object to provide means such as motor or hydraulic jack to stabilize the mounting arrangement, and more preferably to provide tilt adjustment of the blade.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention are made apparent in the following description having reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation, with parts in section, of a bulldozer blade supported on the forward end of a suitable vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the vehicular mounted bulldozer blade of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a plan view more clearly illustrating portions of the mounting arrangement for the bulldozer blade; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a hydraulic control circuit for regulating various portions of the bulldozer blade mounting arrangement shown in FIGS.13.

The mounting arrangement of the present invention is described below and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 having particular reference to a crawlertype vehicle including a C- frame having arms extending along the outside of the vehicle tracks. However, it will be apparent from the following description that the present mounting arrangement may also be employed upon other vehicles such as wheeltype tractors equipped with a suitable mounting frame.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is described with reference to a bulldozer blade 11 supported upon a vehicle, partly illustrated at 12 and having a mounting frame 13. The mounting frame 13 is of a conventional C- frame construction including an intermediate member 14 extending generally transversely across one end of the vehicle. Side members or side arms 16 extend transversely along respective sides of the vehicle to provide for adjustment of blade elevation upon the C- frame. The side arms 16 are secured to the vehicle by pivot joints such as that indicated at 17. Hydraulic lift jacks l8 and 19 are pivotally interconnected between the vehicle 12 and the C-frame 13 for controlling blade elevation.

The bulldozer blade 11 which is illustrated at an angled position in the drawings is comprised of a generally straight central section 21 and forwardly angled side portions 22 and 23. The blade portion 22 is illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 1. Advantages for this particular blade configuration in combination with the present mounting arrangement are discussed in greater detail below.

The blade 11 is centrally supported upon the transverse C- frame member 14 by a universal ball joint 24 which may be best seen in FIG. 1. A pair of hydraulic jacks 26 and 27 provide a threepoint mounting arrangement for the blade 11 in combination with the ball joint 24 and additionally provide for adjustment of both blade angle and pitch. The hydraulic jacks 26, 27 include respective cylinders 28 and 29 pivotally connected to rearward portions of the C- frame side arms 16 by pivot joints indicated at 31 and 32 respectively. Extendible rods 33 and 34 for the jacks 26, 27 are directly connected to the blade 11 by pivot joints 36 and 37 which are respectively mounted on opposite end portions of the blade 11. The pivot joints 36 and 37 are located substantially above the ball joint 24 to provide a triangular threepoint mounting for the blade 11.

With this arrangement, the two hydraulic jacks 26, 27 may be operated to adjust both pitch and angle of the blade 11. For example, operation of the two jacks in opposition to each other permits the blade to the angled in either direction. As shown in the drawings, the jack 26 is retracted and the jack 27 is extended, causing the blade to assume an angled position also illustrated in the drawings.

The mounting arrangement of the present invention would be equally adaptable for use with a blade wherein the end portions 22 and 23 are merely straight extensions of the central portion 21. However, the blade configuration illustrated in the drawings offers numerous advantages in combination with the mounting arrangement of the present invention. For example, angling adjustment of the blade, as been seen in FIG. 3, may be achieved with a reduced stroke for the two hydraulic jacks 26 and 27. Similarly, the blade 11 may be in a more closely coupled relation to the vehicle 12 so that stress within various portions of the mounting arrangement may be reduced and balance of the vehicle is enhanced.

It is contemplated that the blade 11 will normally be operated at a selected pitch, for example, the generally vertical position best seen in FIG. 1. To provide a reference for the blade in this position, a resilient stop block 41 is secured to an element or tower structure 42 extending upwardly from a generally central portion of the transverse C- frame member 14. The stop block 41 faces forwardly toward the blade to engage the blade in its generally vertical position shown in FIG. 1.

Tilt adjustment of the blade 11 is accomplished through another hydraulic cylinder 43 which is pivotally supported by a ball joint mounting 44 atop the tower structure 42. The extendible rod end 46 for the cylinder 43 is pivotally secured to a portion of the blade 11 by another ball joint mounting indicated at 47. The previously described threepoint mounting of blade 11 to C- frame I3, including ball joint 24 and jacks 26 and 27, will not adequately stabilize blade 11 with respect to a transversely extending horizontal plane. Consequently, in addition to operatorinduced blade tilt adjustment, the cylinder 43 serves as a stabilizing link to maintain the blade in any selected transverse horizontal position Further, as blade 11 is angled by opposite actuation of jacks 26 and 27, horizontal tilt ofthe blade is affected slightly, whereupon cylinder 43 may be activated to bring the blade back to a horizontal position if so desired.

A hydraulic control circuit for operating the two motors 26, 27, the tilt motor and the lift motors is illustrated in FIG. 4. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir 52 to provide a source of fluid under pressure. The pump 51 is in hydraulic series connection with the lift jacks l8, 19, the tilt jack 43 and the two jacks 26 and 27 through respective control valves indicated at 53, 54, 56 and 57. A relief valve 58 is also included in the circuit to prevent damage from hydraulic overpressures. Each of the control valves 53-57 is a threeposition valve permitting selective extension or retraction of the respective hydraulic motors.

The control valves 56 and 57 are separately associated with the two hydraulic motors 26 and 27 respectively. These two control valves are arranged within the circuit so that operation in unison of the control valves 56 and 57 results in operation of the hydraulic motors 26 and 27 in opposition to each other. For example, when the control valves 56 and 57 are both shifted leftwardly as seen in the drawings, the hydraulic motor 26 is caused to retract and the hydraulic motor 27 is caused to extend. Conversely, when both control valves are shifted rightwardly, the hydraulic motor 27 is caused to retract and the hydraulic motor 26 is caused to extend. Having momentary reference to FIG. 3 also, it is thus apparent that operation of the two control valves 56, 57 in unison is effective to angle the blade 11 in either direction.

Operation of the two control valves 56, 57 in opposition to each other results in operation in unison of the two hydraulic motors 26 and 27. Thus, the blade 11 may be pitched forwardly from the position illustrated in FIG. 1 or rearwardly depending upon the manner of operation for the control valves 56, 57.

A lever arrangement is also schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 to provide for coupled operation of the control valves 56, 57, and assure operation of the hydraulic motors 26, 27 in direct opposition to each other as is desirable for angling the blade 11. Control levers 61 and 62 are respectively associated for regulation of the control valves 56 and 57. The levers 61 and 62 each include overriding bars 63 and 64 respectively. As the control lever 61 is moved in a direction indicated by the arrow 66, its overriding bar 63 similarly operates the control lever 62 so that the control valves 56 and 57 are operated in unison. As the control lever 62 is moved in the opposite direction indicated by an arrow 67, its overriding bar 64 provides for similar movement of the control lever 61 so that the control valves 56 and 57 are again operated in unison. If the motors 26 and 27 get out of proper operating relation or timing, for example, because of internal leakage within the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 4 they may be readjusted to reduce stresses within the mounting arrangement and the blade 11 by individually moving the, control levers 56 and 57 until the proper relation of the motors 26, 27 is established.

What is claimed is:

l. A mounting arrangement for supporting a bulldozer blade on a vehicle having a mounting frame including an intermediate member extending transversely at one end of the vehicle, and longitudinally extending side members pivoted to the vehicle, comprising a ball joint interconnecting a central portion of the blade with the intermediate member,

a pair of doubleacting hydraulic motors pivotally interconnected between the mounting frame and respective sides of the blade, the interconnection with the blade of the pair of motors and the ball joint providing a triangular threepoint mounting for the blade to maintain blade angle and pitch,

means for operating the two motors in unison or in opposition to each other for adjusting blade pitch and angle, respectively, and

additional hydraulic means interconnected between the blade and mounting frame for stabilizing the blade.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a stopblock centrally disposed upon a vertically extending portion of the intermediate member for normally engaging the blade at a selected pitch.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the additional hydraulic means comprises a double-acting tilt motor interconnected between the mounting frame and the blade for oscillating the blade about a longitudinal axis through the universal joint.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein portions of the two motors are pivotally connected to the blade and relatively extendible portions of the motor are respectively pivoted to the side members of the mounting frame generally adjacent their pivotal connections to the vehicle.

5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising motor means effectively interconnected between the vehicle and the mounting frame for adjusting blade elevation.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein lateral end portion of the blade are angled forwardly from a central portion of the blade.

7. The invention of claim I wherein the two motors are hydraulic jacks and the motor operating means comprising a source of fluid under pressure in communication with the motors through control valves effective to respectively and selectively control fluid communication with the jacks.

8. The invention of claim 7 further comprising means for coupling the control valves and adjusting them to selectively and simultaneously operate the two jacks.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the two jacks are connected in series with the source through respective control valves, the control valves being adjustable in unison to operate the motors in opposition to each other and vary blade angle.

10. The invention of claim 9 further comprising hydraulic lift and tilt jacks for respectively controlling blade elevation and tilt, the lift and tilt jacks also being connected in series with the source through respective control valves.

1 1. An earthmoving machine comprising a vehicle,

a mounting frame supported on the vehicle and including a transverse member at one end of the vehicle,

a bulldozer blade centrally supported upon the mounting frame by ball joint,

a pair of longitudinally arranged hydraulic jacks pivotally interconnected between the mounting frame and respective side portions of the blade, the interconnections of the longitudinally arranged jacks with the blade and the ball joint providing a threepoint mounting for the blade to establish blade angle and pitch,

hydraulic control means for selectively operating the two hydraulic jacks, and

additional hydraulic means interconnected between the blade and mounting frame for stabilizing the blade.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the mounting frame includes side members pivotally secured to respective sides of the vehicle, at least one hydraulic lift jack being interconnected between the vehicle and frame, and the jacks being pivotally connected respectively to the side members generally adjacent their pivotal connections to the vehicle.

13. The invention of claim 12 further comprising an element extending upwardly from a central portion of the trans verse frame member, a resilient stopblock mounted on the element facing the blade, the additional hydraulic means comprising a tilt jack interconnected between the element and a portion of the blade.

hydraulic means comprises a tilt jack interconnected between the blade and the mounting frame, the tilt jack being disposed i2 a vertical, transverse plane relative to the vehicle.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein the mounting frame is pivotally supported on the vehicle and at least one hydraulic jack is interconnected between the vehicle and the frame for adjusting blade elevation. 

1. A mounting arrangement for supporting a bulldozer blade on a vehicle having a mounting frame including an intermediate member extending transversely at one end of the vehicle, and longitudinally extending side members pivoted to the vehicle, comprising a ball joint interconnecting a central portion of the blade with the intermediate member, a pair of double-acting hydraulic motors pivotally interconnected between the mounting frame and respective sides of the blade, the interconnection with the blade of the pair of motors and the ball joint providing a triangular three-point mounting for the blade to maintain blade angle and pitch, means for operating the two motors in unison or in opposition to each other for adjusting blade pitch and angle, respectively, and additional hydraulic means interconnected between the blade and mounting frame for stabilizing the blade.
 2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a stopblock centrally disposed upon a vertically extending portion of the intermediate member for normally engaging the blade at a selected pitch.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the additional hydraulic means comprises a double-acting tilt motor interconnected between the mounting frame and the blade for oscillating the blade about a longitudinal axis through the universal joint.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein portions of the two motors are pivotally connected to the blade and relatively extendible portions of the motors are respectively pivoted to the side members of the mounting frame generally adjacent their pivotal connections to the vehicle.
 5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising motor means effectively interconnected between the vehicle and the mounting frame for adjusting blade elevation.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein lateral end portion of the blade are angled forwardly from a central portion of the blade.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the two motors are hydraulic jacks and the motor operating means comprises a source of fluid under pressure in communication with the motors through control valves effective to respectively and selectively control fluid communication with the jacks.
 8. The invention of claim 7 further comprising means for coupling the control valves and adjusting them to selectively and simultaneously operate the two jacks.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the two jacks are coNnected in series with the source through respective control valves, the control valves being adjustable in unison to operate the motors in opposition to each other and vary blade angle.
 10. The invention of claim 9 further comprising hydraulic lift and tilt jacks for respectively controlling blade elevation and tilt, the lift and tilt jacks also being connected in series with the source through respective control valves.
 11. An earthmoving machine comprising a vehicle, a mounting frame supported on the vehicle and including a transverse member at one end of the vehicle, a bulldozer blade centrally supported upon the mounting frame by a ball joint, a pair of longitudinally arranged hydraulic jacks pivotally interconnected between the mounting frame and respective side portions of the blade, the interconnections of the longitudinally arranged jacks with the blade and the ball joint providing a three-point mounting for the blade to establish blade angle and pitch, hydraulic control means for selectively operating the two hydraulic jacks, and additional hydraulic means interconnected between the blade and mounting frame for stabilizing the blade.
 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the mounting frame includes side members pivotally secured to respective sides of the vehicle, at least one hydraulic lift jack being interconnected between the vehicle and frame, and the jacks being pivotally connected respectively to the side members generally adjacent their pivotal connections to the vehicle.
 13. The invention of claim 12 further comprising an element extending upwardly from a central portion of the transverse frame member, a resilient stopblock mounted on the element facing the blade, the additional hydraulic means comprising a tilt jack interconnected between the element and a portion of the blade.
 14. The invention of claim 11 wherein the hydraulic control means comprises a source of fluid under pressure, control valves for respectively communicating the source with the jacks and means for adjusting the control valves to operate the two motors in unison and in opposition to each other for adjusting blade pitch and angle.
 15. The invention of claim 11 wherein end portions of the blade are angled forwardly from a central portion of the blade.
 16. The invention of claim 11 wherein the additional hydraulic means comprises a tilt jack interconnected between the blade and the mounting frame, the tilt jack being disposed in a vertical, transverse plane relative to the vehicle.
 17. The invention of claim 16 wherein the mounting frame is pivotally supported on the vehicle and at least one hydraulic jack is interconnected between the vehicle and the frame for adjusting blade elevation. 